Author Archive: Retro

French widow is killed by a poisoned-tipped arrow and it’s up to Inspector Hanaud to investigate. Based on the novel by A.E.W. Mason. Dir. Michael Anderson

The life and work of the great Italian operatic composer Giuseppi Verdi (1813-1901) is depicted in this 1953 film, made in Italy. Pierre Cressy portrays the composer with intensity and feeling, while Gaby Andre his second wife with tenderness and pathos. A host of fine singers adorn operatic excerpts, including Tenor Mario del Monaco in a startling death scene from “Otello” and Tito Gobbi in a dramatic moment from “Rigoletto.” Throughout the film there are elaborately staged scenes from “Nabucco,” “Il Trovatore,” “La Forza del Destino,” “Aida,” and “Falstaff.” A rare look at the domestic and love life of this composer is afforded, within the usual dramatic license given such biopics. On his death-bed, the Italian composer thinks back on his life; from his childhood to his final opera. Contains pieces from many classic operas: “Otello”, “Rigoletto”, “Nabucco”, “Il Trovatore”, “Aida” and more. English dubbed. Dir. Raffaello Matarazz

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Girls in Uniform is a 1951 Mexican drama film directed by Alfredo B. Crevenna and starring Irasema Dilián and Marga López. It is a remake of the 1931 German film Girls in Uniform, set in a female boarding school.

Three Guy de Maupassant stories concerning pleasure are presented; ‘Le Masque’, ‘Le Modele’ and ‘La Maison Teillier’. English subtitles. Dir. Rene Claire.

Based on a true story, a French submarine escapes from Nazi control and is given a top secret mission to contact the Algerian underground. Written by Georges P?clet, adapted from the log-book of the French Naval submarine “Casabianca”. Dir. Georges P?clet